The Moose left Manitoba with a playoff spot clinched but they did not yet know where the post-season would begin. They sat in the 5th and final playoff spot just five points back of the Texas Stars with one game in hand. Then they end the regular season in Texas which would be their opportunity to overtake the Stars for the 4th place spot which would give them home ice advantage in the play-in best of three series that follows the conclusion of the AHL regular season. But in order for that to happen they needed to take care of business against the Admirals in Milwaukee.
AHL All-Rookie Team:
Earlier today Jets 2022 1st rounder Brad Lambert was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team becoming the seventh Moose played to be so named.
Lineup news:
The Moose changed back to the lineup that got them a 7-4 win last Saturday which meant they pulled Colby Barlow, Daniel Torgersson, Dylan Anhorn from the lineup and replaced them with Carson Golder, Mark Liwiski and Dmitry Kuzmin.
Moose lineup:
Malott – Lambert – AJF
Suess – Toninato – Chibrikov
Viel – Reichel – Ford
Golder – Nikkanen – Liwiski
Capobianco – Barteaux
Sautner –Lundmark
Kuzmin – Heinola
Milic
Notable:
Just 1:41 into the 1st period the Moose found themselves down 1-0 as Phil Tomasino got the Admirals on the board. The visitors answered back as Henri Nikkanen tied up the game as the big centre got to the front of the net and put home his 7th of the season.
With the Moose again down by a goal they evened the game on the power play as Parker Ford puts this into the empty net to tie the game 2-2 with his 16th of the season with assists to Jets prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert.
Not to be ignored is the fact that Jets prospect Nikita Chibrikov is now tied for 5th on AHL points leaders for rookies. He’s got 17G 29A for 46 points in 69 games.
Two goals early in the 3rd have given the Admirals a 4-2 lead over the Moose. Big hill to climb for Manitoba as they need a win today to have a chance at home-ice advantage.
Moose back within one thanks to Brad Lambert who finds AJf for this goal to make it a 4-3 deficit. Speed meets Speed and they find the back of the net.
With the assist Brad Lambert ties his Finnish countryman Sami Niku for 2nd place on the All-Time Moose rookie points list. He has 20G 34A for 54 points in 63 games which puts him 2nd in the AHL for points among rookies.
And 40 seconds after they got within one the Moose tie the game as Parker Ford gets his 17th of the season with a wicked shot upstairs and second of the game to tie it 4-4.
It was looking like extra time would be needed but just like that the Moose give up a late goal in Milwaukee with just under one minute remaining. Not the first time we’ve seen that.
Admirals scored into the empty net to make it a 6-4 game for the home team. Moose fought back to make it close but end up losing. With home-ice no longer a possibility perhaps we see some recalls from Manitoba before the Jets game Thursday.
Play-in series:
The Moose will now play (up to) five straight games in Texas as the days for the play-in series has been set. They’ll play the last two regular season games this weekend and then:
Game 1: Tuesday, April 23
Game 2: Thursday, April 25
Game 3*: Friday, April 26
Multi-point game:
Parker Ford 2G
Brad Lambert 2A
Highlights:
Post-game interviews:
Up next:
The Moose are scheduled to travel to Texas tomorrow where they will end the regular season with two games against the Stars on Friday and Saturday.
